W-4 withholding calculator
The federal tax your W-4 takes from each paycheck, against the tax you really owe.
Estimate with 2026 federal rules and each state's latest published rates, not tax advice. Calculated in your browser: nothing you type is sent anywhere.
Federal tax withheld per paycheck
$193.08
$0 back at tax time, for $5,020 of federal income tax owed.
| Line | Paycheck | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Withheld | $193.08 | $5,020 |
| Tax owed | $193.08 | $5,020 |
| Back at tax time | $0 |
Your W-4 is close to right: withholding and tax owed are within $100 for the year.
How your employer reads your W-4
- Your taxable pay per paycheck (after 401(k) and health premiums) times the number of paychecks in the year.
- Plus other income (Step 4(a)), minus extra deductions (Step 4(b)) and, unless Step 2 is checked, $12,900 married filing jointly or $8,600 otherwise.
- The IRS table for your status gives the tax for the year, divided by your paychecks.
- Minus your Step 3 credits spread over the paychecks, plus the extra amount of Step 4(c).
One job, no adjustments
Single filer paid every two weeks: with a plain W-4, withholding lands within a few dollars of the tax owed.
| Salary | Per paycheck | Withheld / year | Tax owed |
|---|---|---|---|
| $30,000 | $54.62 | $1,420 | $1,420 |
| $45,000 | $123.85 | $3,220 | $3,220 |
| $60,000 | $193.08 | $5,020 | $5,020 |
| $80,000 | $337.31 | $8,770 | $8,770 |
| $100,000 | $506.54 | $13,170 | $13,170 |
| $150,000 | $951.31 | $24,734 | $24,734 |
Two jobs: why Step 2 matters
A married couple filing jointly, $50,000 each, paid every two weeks. Each employer only sees one salary, so without Step 2 both withhold as if it were the household's only income.
| Both W-4s | Each paycheck | Withheld / year | Against $7,640 owed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Step 2 box not checked | $68.46 | $3,560 | −$4,080 |
| Step 2 box checked on both | $146.92 | $7,640 | -$0 |
Frequently asked questions
What is a W-4 form?
Form W-4 is the form you give your employer when you start a job, and whenever your situation changes. Your filing status, a second job, children and other income on it tell the employer how much federal income tax to withhold from each paycheck, using the IRS tables of Publication 15-T.
Should I check the box in Step 2?
Check it when you have two jobs at once, or are married filing jointly and both work, with similar pay. Two spouses earning $50,000 each owe $7,640 of federal tax for 2026. Without the box, their employers withhold $3,560 together, $4,080 short; with the box on both W-4s, $7,640.
How do I get a bigger refund or a bigger paycheck?
A bigger refund: write an extra amount per paycheck in Step 4(c). On $60,000 paid every two weeks, $50 extra makes the withholding $243.08 and about $1,300 comes back. A bigger paycheck: enter deductions beyond the standard deduction in Step 4(b), or credits such as the child tax credit in Step 3.
Does the W-4 change my state tax?
No. The W-4 is federal only. Most states with an income tax have their own withholding form, and some use the federal W-4. Use the paycheck calculator for your state's tax.